Disposable pant type absorbent article

ABSTRACT

A ready-to-wear pull-up type absorbent article such as a diaper is provided which has a waist region comprising a front waist region and a back waist region, and a pair of complimentary fasteners in the respective regions. The front waist region comprises a pair of loop fasteners and the back waist region comprises a pair of hook strips each aligned for releasable engagement with a corresponding loop strip in the front waist region. In lieu of hook strips, the back waist region may include one or more tape tabs each having one surface attached to the back waist region and an opposed hook surface for releasable engagement with a correspondingly aligned loop surface. A weakened line, e.g., a perforated line may be provided in the front waist region which can be readily torn away in order to inspect the diaper. The front and back waist regions may include side seals which can be secured together when the diaper is in assembled ready-to-wear condition and which can be readily torn or peeled in order to inspect the diaper when desired without disengaging the fasteners.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of commonly assigned,copending application Ser. No. 09/247,629 filed Feb. 10, 1999 forDisposable Absorbent Pull-Up Type Diapers And Incontinent Briefs, andSer. No. 09/844,726 filed Apr. 27, 2001 for Absorbent Articles HavingImproved Fastening System.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to disposable absorbentarticles such as training pants, diapers, undergarments and incontinentbriefs, and is more particularly related to such pants, diapers,undergarments and briefs which have become known in the art as “pull-up”or “pull-on” absorbent articles. In one particular aspect, the presentinvention relates to an absorbent article of the aforementioned typeswhich, due to its unique construction, assures fitness and comfort tothe wearer, protects against leakage of fluids and other body exudatesand can be readily opened for inspection and removal from the wearer.This invention also relates to ready-to-wear pull-up type absorbentarticles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Disposable absorbent articles such as disposable baby diapers andadult incontinent briefs, underpants, guards and the like articles arewidely used in homes and in various health care facilities andinstitutions. Indeed the use of such articles has become a commonsanitary practice, and while initially such absorbent articles were usedmostly for infant care, more recently their use has been expanded toinclude adults as well. In both instances, the absorbent article must bedesigned to effectively prevent leakage of urine and other fecalmaterials, while insuring body fit and comfort.

[0004] Most presently available absorbent articles are generally unitaryin structure, pre-shaped and pre-folded, and comprise an absorbent padhaving a liquid permeable top sheet facing the wearer's body, a liquidimpermeable backsheet on the opposite side, and an absorbent sheet orpanel disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. The absorbentarticle comprises a front side portion, a crotch portion and a backsideportion, and further includes elastic members along the circumference ofthe waist and around the leg openings. While the heretofore commerciallyavailable absorbent articles have been somewhat effective againstleakage of body fluids and fecal materials, and have therefore met somedegree of acceptability, they have not been entirely satisfactory fortheir intended applications. In other words, they have not proven to beentirely leak proof, nor have they completely prevented issuance of thebody exudates outside the diaper or the underpants. These deficienciesare primarily due to inadequate and loose body fit, which result inleakage of the body fluids and solids through the legs' openings. Theseproblems are even more pronounced in case of adults because of theirdiverse body shapes and varying contours. Another disadvantage of thecommercially available absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinentbriefs and the like, is associated with opening and removing the soiledarticle for inspection without soiling the wearer's leg or body, orchanging the diaper while the wearer has his or her shoes and pants on.

[0005] There are several patents which disclose various attempts made inthe prior art over the past years to eliminate, or at least minimize,the shortcomings of the present commercially available absorbent briefs.Some of these patents are referred to in the aforementioned commonlyassigned, copending application. That application describes a pull-updiaper comprising front and back elasticized waist portions, an insertmember having an absorbent core comprising an elasticated crotch region,and at least one elastic member disposed in the longitudinal directionon each side of the crotch region. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of saidcopending application, the diaper is provided with side seals formed byheat, pressure or combination thereof. In addition, a finite area ateach end of the side seals is sealed adhesively or by a hot melt. In analternative embodiment shown in FIG. 2C of said copending application,male and female Velcro® regions are provided which are adapted to engageinto one another to provide a seal when the front portion of the diaperis folded on the back portion of the diaper.

[0006] In a recent patent, i.e., U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,484 issued Feb. 22,2000 to Anette Remare, a pant diaper is described comprising a piece offibrous nonwoven or plastic elastic material 9 having two parts 13 and14 which can be pulled apart to define the side parts or flaps of thediaper. The side parts are fastened together by means of the hooks 15,16 and the loop 17 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The piece 9 is joined tothe outer casing 3 of the front part of the diaper by the glue points 10which may be homogeneously distributed as shown in FIG. 1 ornon-homogenous glue points or fastening means 110 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0007] A more recent patent, i.e., U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,287 B1 describesa prefastened disposable article which includes a pair of primaryfasteners located on opposed side edges of one waist region. The primaryfasteners overlap and releasably engage the opposite waist region. Apair of passive bonds releasably connect the overlapped portion of onewaist portion to the opposite waist region in order to maintain thearticle in prefastened condition.

[0008] In general, the briefs and diapers described in the prior artpatents have a common structural deficiency in that they are providedwith side seams which are welded together by heat and pressure orvibration (ultrasonic welding). Side seals must be sufficiently strongto hold the diaper on the person and must be capable of being torn sothat the wearer can tear it easily in order to inspect or change thediaper while having his or her shoes on. Thus, there is a dire need forpull up type absorbent briefs and diapers which are comfortable to wear,highly effective against leakage of fluids and feces, and which can bereadily inspected for soil.

[0009] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea pull-up type disposable absorbent article such as infant diapers,adult incontinent underpants, briefs, guards and the like articles,which overcome the deficiencies and shortcomings of the prior artabsorbent articles, including present commercially available garmentsused for this purpose.

[0010] It is another object of this invention to provide disposableabsorbent articles which, due to their unique construction, provideimproved fit to the body and prevent leakage of urine and other bodyexudates through the leg openings, and which are easy to take apart forinspection.

[0011] It is also an object of this invention to provide such disposablearticles which, due to their unique side seals and fastener system, areeasy to open up for inspection and which can be readily reassembledafter inspection even while the wearer has his or her shoes on.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects and features of the presentinvention will be more fully comprehended and appreciated from theensuing detailed description and drawing which form parts of thisapplication.

[0013] It must be understood throughout this application that the term“pull-up” as used herein is synonymous with “pull-on” as used in theprior art patents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention is concerned with providing a ready-to-wearabsorbent article such as, for example, a diaper. The diaper comprises acover sheet, a back sheet, an absorbent layer disposed intermediate thecover sheet and the back sheet, a pair of opposed leg openings and awaist region. The waist region comprises a front waist region and a backwaist region connected to each other by a crotch portion, and has bellysection which may be elasticated. The front and back waist regions areprovided with fasteners for fastening the two regions together. In oneembodiment, the fastening system comprises a pair of loop strips in thefront waist region, and a pair of correspondingly aligned hook strips inthe back waist region such that when the back waist region and frontwaist region are overlapped, each hook strip releasably engages acorrespondingly aligned loop strip. In lieu of a loop strip, the surfaceof the front waist region itself may act as a loop or a female surface,or a selected segment of the surface may act as the loop for engagementwith the hook (male) strip. The front waist region may include aweakened line such as a perforated line adjacent to or in between thestrips which can be readily torn in order to inspect the diaper withoutdisengaging the hook and loop fasteners.

[0015] In a variation of the invention, the back waist region comprisesone or more tabs located at the lateral or side edges of the waistregion. Each tab has one surface attached to the back waist region andan opposed hook surface aligned with a loop strip in the front waistregion. In order to fasten the diaper, the back waist region and frontwaist region are overlapped so as to engage the hook surface of each tabwith a correspondingly aligned loop surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are employed todesignate like parts:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the disposable absorbent articleof the present invention shown as a pull-up diaper having side sealswhich are broken apart on one side for illustrative purposes;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a stretched plan view of the pull-up diaper shown inFIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2, and

[0021]FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating overlapping of the frontwaist region and back waist region of the diaper shown in FIG. 1 and themanner of their attachment by hook and loop;

[0022]FIG. 6 is a stretched plan view similar to FIG. 2 but illustratinganother variation of hook and loop fasteners;

[0023]FIG. 7 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 5 but illustrating thehook and loop fastener arrangement in FIG. 6;

[0024]FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but using tape tabs with hooksin combination with loop fasteners wherein the tape tabs are located onthe inside surface of the back waist;

[0025]FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8A-8A ofFIG. 8;

[0026]FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8B-8B ofFIG. 8;

[0027]FIG. 8C is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the overlapping of thefront waist and the back waist of the diaper;

[0028]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the diaper shown in FIG. 8 withthe tape tabs pulled away from the loop fasteners and the diaper readyto wear;

[0029]FIG. 10 is a stretched plan view of a pull-up diaper according toanother embodiment of the present invention wherein the tape tabs arelocated on the outer surface of the back waist;

[0030]FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 10A-10A ofFIG. 10;

[0031]FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 10B-10B ofFIG. 10;

[0032]FIG. 10C is a view similar to FIG. 8C but showing the manner offastening the front waist and back waist of the diaper shown in FIG. 10;

[0033]FIG. 11 is a stretched plan view of a different embodiment of thepresent invention similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 withthe tape tabs located on the outside surface of the back waist region,folded and adhesively secured to said surface;

[0034]FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 11A-11Aof FIG. 11;

[0035]FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11B-11B ofFIG. 11;

[0036]FIG. 11C is a view similar to FIG. 10C showing the overlapping thefront waist and back waist of the diaper;

[0037]FIG. 12 is a stretched plan view of a different embodiment of thepresent invention similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10 withthe tape tabs located on the outside surface of the back waist regionand projecting outside of the lateral edges;

[0038]FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 12A-12A ofFIG. 12;

[0039]FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 12B-12B ofFIG. 12;

[0040]FIG. 12C is a view similar to FIG. 10C showing fastening system;and

[0041]FIG. 13 is a stretched plan view of still another embodiment ofthe invention similar to FIG. 12 but having a weakened perforated lineadjacent the side seal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a pull-up diaper generallydesignated as 100 comprising an elasticated back waist region 101 and anelasticated front waist portion 103. The elasticated back waist region101 includes an elastic band comprising a plurality of elastic members105 spanned across the back waist region 101, and the elasticated frontwaist region 103 includes an elastic band comprising a plurality ofelastic members 107 spanned across the front waist portion 103. Thediaper 100 also comprises a pair of elasticated leg openings, i.e., aright elasticated leg opening 109 and a left elasticated leg opening111. The left leg opening 109 is provided at its peripheral edges withthe crotch elastic members 113 and the right leg opening 111 is alsoprovided at its peripheral edges with the crotch elastic member 115.Each leg opening also comprises a thigh elastic member 117 which isusually tensioned from about 0 to about 400 percent elongation,preferably from about 150 to about 250 percent elongation. Theperipheral crotch elastic members 113 and 115 may also tensioned fromabout 0 to about 400 percent elongation, preferably from about 200 toabout 300 percent elongation so that the leg openings fit snugly againstthe crotch region 119 of the wearer in order to prevent leakage of urineor other body exudates through the leg openings. The front and back ofthe diaper 100 are provided with the side seals 121A, 121B disposed atthe outer left edges of the back waist region 101 and the front waistregion 103, and similar side seals 121C and 121D are disposed at theouter right edges of the back waist region 101 and the front waistregion 103 as shown in FIG. 2. These side seals may be formed by heat,pressure, combination of heat and pressure, or by a suitable adhesive ina manner known in the prior art. The side seals preferably have low peelstrength so that when the seals are torn or peeled away their externaledges remain clean. Preferably, the side seals strength may be from 1 toabout 3 pounds per inch, and more preferably less than about 1 pound perinch.

[0043] The diaper may also be provided with elastics at the bellyportion in the front or back but such belly elastics are not strictlynecessary for some diapers.

[0044] Ordinarily, in order to inspect the diaper during wear, the sealis ripped open and the diaper is inspected for the presence of feces orexudates. Once inspected, the diaper is disposed of since it is oftendifficult to effectively reseal the side seals. In the embodiment of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 2, the diaper is provided with twostrips of hook and loop material 123A, 123C disposed adjacent the sideseals 121A and 121C. Both the side seals and the strips of the loopfastener material are disposed parallel to the vertical axis of thediaper. Similarly, strips of hook material 125B, 125D are disposedadjacent the side seals 121B, 121D, parallel to the vertical axis of thediaper. During use, when the front and back portions of the diaper arefolded, the hook strips 125B and 125D engage onto the loop strips 123Aand 123C, respectively thus providing additional sealed regions at thelateral edges of the front waist portion and the back waist portion.This construction permits opening the diaper for inspection bydisengaging the hook and loop strips 123A and 125B, or the hook and loopstrips 123C and 125D in order to inspect the diaper. If no feces orexudates are found, the diaper is closed, i.e., resealed by re-engagingthe hook and loop strips without disposing of the diaper. FIG. 1 showsthe diaper during wear with one edge partially open and the hook andloop strips in disengaged positions. It is preferable that the loopstrips be located inside surface the hook be located on the outersurface of the diaper.

[0045] Referring again to the drawings, more specifically to FIGS. 2-5,the diaper 100 comprises an insert member 127 which contains theabsorbent core 129 sandwiched between the cover or top layer or sheet131 (facing the body of the wearer) and the polyethylene backing film133. The insert 127 is secured, adhesively or by some other suitablemeans, to a spunbond nonwoven layer 135. Optionally, the absorbent core129 may be covered by the bottom tissue layers 137 generally made ofwood pulp fibers or similar material. An acquisition layer 139 isinterposed between the cover sheet 131 and the core layer 129 and servesto temporarily retain the body exudates and slowly distribute themthrough the absorbent core 129 in order to keep the skin dryer. Thevarious layers are generally coextensive with one another and are sealedtogether to form a sealed composite structure.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent core 129 spans substantial partof the length of the diaper 100 terminating at the back edge 129A, thefront edge 129B, the right side edges 129C, 129D, and left side edges129 and 129F. However, as it can also be seen from this figure, the backedge 129A and the front edge 129B of the absorbent core 129 are spacedapart a finite distance, which may be varied, relative to the diaper.The insert 127 is defined by the longitudinal side edges 127A, 127B,127C and 127D, the lateral edges 127E and 127F, and includes the neckeddown region defined by the necked down contoured side edges 127G and127H. The necked down region defined by the necked down side edges iselasticated at both sides by the elastic members 113, 115. Three elasticmembers are shown although fewer or greater numbers of elastic membersmay be used if desired.

[0047] As previously mentioned, each leg opening 109, 111 is tensionedby a thigh elastic member 117 shown as a curved elastic in FIG. 2, butmay be straight elastic element if desired. The thigh elastic may betensioned from about 0 to about 400 percent elongation, preferably fromabout 150 to about 300 percent elongation for more improved fitnessaround the legs.

[0048] As is further shown in FIG. 2, the diaper 100 of the presentinvention has an elasticized crotch region 119 which is provided withone or more spaced-apart right elastic members 113 disposed interiorlyof the leg right opening 109 on the right side edge of the insert, andone or more spaced-apart left elastic members 115 disposed interiorly ofthe leg opening 111 of the left side of the insert 127.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the coversheet or layer 131 isconveniently made of spunbond nonwoven polypropylene which is availablefrom First Quality Fibers, Inc., McElhattan, Pa. The acquisition layer139 is usually made of chemically bonded nonwoven polypropyleneavailable from American Nonwovens, Columbus, Mo. Preferably, the widthof this layer is substantially the same as the width of the absorbentcore 129. This core may be made pulp fibers and superabsorbent polymerssuch as IM 7000 series available from Clariant Products, Inc.,Portsmouth, Va., and Chemdal 200 series, available from Chemdal, Inc.,Palantine, Ill. Alternatively, the absorbent core 129 may be made ofdual layer construction, in which case, the absorbent polymer may besecurely positioned between each layer of the absorbent material.

[0050] The film backing 133 is usually a polyethylene layer which isliquid, air and preferably vapor impermeable, and is placed under theabsorbent core member 129 to prevent body exudates from leaking andotherwise soiling the user's bed and clothing. The width and length ofthe backing film 133 are generally at least equal to the width andlength of the absorbent core 129. Polyethylenes suitable as backing filmfor the purpose of this invention are available from Clopay Plastics,Cincinnati, Ohio as is further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a layer 135 ofspunbond nonwoven polypropylene is disposed as a backing layer andcovers the area under the insert 127. This layer is usually coextensivewith the overall width and length of the pull-up diaper.

[0051] As is further shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there is one elasticatedcrotch cuff 143 on each side of the garment. Each of these crotch cuffsis formed of a layer of spunbond nonwoven polypropylene laminated byhot-melt adhesive or by heat, and forms a fluid and an air impermeablecomposite structure. The crotch cuffs are under no tension or aretensioned from about 100 to about 200 percent so that the garment canfit snugly against the body and prevent leakage of body fluids ofexudates, without pinching the body of the wearer. Additionally, thesecuffs act as barriers against fluid leakage on each side of theabsorbent core.

[0052] The garment of the present invention also has an elasticatedwaist cuff 145 which, similar to crotch cuffs, is not tensioned or isminimally tensioned between about 1 to about 100 percent elongation inorder to provide a tight body fit which is leak-proof without pinchingthe body or causing discomfort to the wearer.

[0053] The insert 127 is adhesively secured to the nonwoven backing film133 and, as shown in FIG. 2, the crotch width of the insert 127 isnarrower than its width at the waist. As previously mentioned, there areusually three elastic members 113, 115 on each side, although fewer ormore elastic members can be used, as desired.

[0054] As is further shown in FIG. 2, the pull-on diaper of thisinvention has a waist cuff base 147 with a waist cuff apex 149 on boththe front and back of the article. Similar to the crotch cuffs, thesewaist cuffs prevent fluid leakage from the ends of the core members 129.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the hook and loop fastenerstrips are located adjacent the side seals. However, in a variation ofthis embodiment, the hook and loop fastener strips may be used withoutthe side seals and put on the diaper without the wearer taking of his orher shoes or pants. When in use, the wearer may disengage the strips,inspect the diaper for leaks and/or exudates and if free from suchmaterials, the hook and loop strips may be refastened. The hook and loopfasteners may be attached to the inside or outside of the diaper.However, it is preferable to attach the loops on the inside surface andthe hooks on the outside surface since the hook material has a roughsurface which would irritate the skin. If the diaper is provided withside seals, this seal may be torn and the hook and loop fasteners areused to fasten the diaper.

[0056] Another variation of the fastening system for the diaper of thisinvention is shown in FIG. 6. The basic components of the diaper in thisfigure is the same as the diaper shown in FIG. 2 except for the numberand location of the hook and loop strips. Thus, referring to FIG. 6, thefront and back of the diaper 200 are provided with the side seals 221A,221B disposed at the outer right edges of the back waist region 201 andthe front waist region 203, and similar side seals 221C and 221D arelocated at the outer left edges of the back waist region 201 and thefront waist region 203. These side seals may be formed by heat,pressure, combination of heat and pressure, or by a suitable adhesive ina manner known in the prior art. The front waist region 203 comprises apair strips 205, 207 of a loop material, with the loop strip 205 spacedapart inward relative to the edge or side seal 221A on the inner surfaceof the back waist region and the loop strip 207 spaced apart inwardrelative to the edge or side seal 221C or the outer surface of the backwaist region. The term “strip” as used herein is not limited to anyparticular configuration as it may be rectangular, square, circular orany other shape and may be a patch or a section of the surface ofmaterial itself. Thus, the material itself may constitute a loopsuitable for engagement with the hook strips. The front waist region 201comprises the loop strip 209 spaced apart inward relative to the edge orside seal 221B on the outer surface and a hook strip 211 on the innersurface adjacent the loop strip 209 and separated therefrom by aweakened tear line such as the perforated line 213. On the left side ofthe article, the front waist region comprises a pair of side-by-sidehook strips 215, 217 spaced apart inward relative to the edge or sideseal 221D, and separated from each other by a weakened tear line such asthe perforated line 219. Both hook strips 217, 215 are located on theinner surface of the front waist region 203. In order to assemble andfasten the diaper, when the perforated lines 213 and 219 are torn andthe waist region 201 and waist region 203 are folded on each other, thehook strip 209 engages the loop strip 215 and the hook strips 211 and217 engage the loop strips 205 and 207, respectively. A segment of anonwoven material or some other suitable material may be used asenforcement or backup portion for the perforated lines in order toassure a clean tear of the perforated line.

[0057]FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the manner of fasteningthe hook and loop system shown in FIG. 6.

[0058] FIGS. 8-13 illustrate those embodiments of the invention usingtape tabs as the male components of the fastening system. Otherwise, thestructure of the diaper in these embodiments is the same as in FIGS. 2and 6.

[0059] Thus referring to FIG. 8 the diaper shown therein is generallydesignated as 300 comprising a back waist region 301 having opposedlateral wings, and a front waist region 303 having similar opposedlateral wings, relative to the longitudinal axis W-W of the diaper. Thefront waist region 303 comprises a pair of strips 305, 307 of loopmaterial disposed on the outer surface near or at the lateral edge ofthe respective wings, and the back waist region 301 has tape tabs 309,311, 313 and 315 attached thereto on the inside surface at or near theedge of the wings. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B the tape tab 313 has anadherent surface 313A attached to the back waist portion, a releasepaper 313B, a hook surface 313C opposite said adherent surface, and anadherent surface 313D for attaching said hook surface to the back waistregion. The tape strip 313 has a finger lift 313E for lifting theadhesive strip in order to expose the hook surface. The release tape313D and the finger lift 313E are optional and not strictly necessary.

[0060] In order to fasten the diaper the side seals 317, 319 are tornand the tape 313D is pulled away by lifting and pulling the finger lift313E, the front waist region and the back waist region are thenoverlapped thereby engaging the hooks 309, 311, 313 and 315 onto thecorresponding aligned loop strips 305 and 307. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 8 the front waist portion comprises the edge seal317, 319 at each lateral edge of the front waist region, and edge seals321, 323 at the lateral edges of the back waist region.

[0061]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the pull-up diaper shown in FIG. 8and is similar to the diaper shown in FIG. 2 except for the provision ofthe tape tabs having hook surfaces. Otherwise, the structures of the twodiapers are the same.

[0062]FIG. 10 is a stretched plan view of another embodiment of theinvention similar to FIG. 8 but wherein the back waist region comprisesthree spaced apart tabs near the edge seal at each wing. Otherwise, theconstruction of the diaper is similar to the diaper shown in FIG. 8.Thus, the diaper shown in FIG. 10 is generally designated as 400comprising a back waist region 401 having opposed lateral wings, and afront waist region having similar opposed lateral wings, relative to thelongitudinal axis X-X of the diaper. The front waist region 403comprises a pair of strips 405, 407 of loop material, each strip beingdisposed near or at the lateral edge of its respective wing, and theback waist region 401 has three tape tabs 409, 411, 413 attached theretonear the edge of one of said wings, and three tape tabs 415, 417, 419attached near the other wings. As shown in FIG. 10, the external edgesof the tape tabs are spaced inwardly relative to the edge of each wing.Each of the tape tabs is attached to the outside surface of the backwaist region 401. Thus, referring to FIGS. 10A-10C, tape tab 415 has anadherent surface 415A and a backing film 415B for attaching the tape tabto the back waist region 401. A finger lift portion 415C permits liftingthe backing film away from the waist's outer surface. The tape tab has ahook surface 415D and a release paper 415E. The remaining tape tabs,i.e., tape tabs 409, 411, 413, 417 and 419 have a structure similar totape tab 415 and are positioned on the outer surface of the back waistregion in the same manner. These tapes are attached to the back waistsurface such that each finger lift edge is adjacent to the side seals.

[0063] The back waist region 401 and the front waist region 403 arefastened together in the same manner described in connection with thediaper shown in FIG. 8. Also, shown in FIG. 10, the front and back waistregions comprise edge seals at each lateral edge or wing.

[0064] The embodiment shown in FIG. 11 is similar to the embodimentshown in FIG. 10 with that the tape tabs located on the outer surface ofthe back waist region 503 of the diaper 500 except that the tapes arefolded as shown in FIG. 11B. Referring to FIG. 11B which is an enlargedview of the tape tab 515, as shown therein, the tape tab construction isidentical to the tapes shown in FIGS. 10, 10A, 10B and 10C. Thus, thetab has an adhesive surface 515A which is attached on the back side ofthe diaper and the remainder of the tape is folded to prevent the edgesof the tape from interfering with the side seals. This tape alsocomprises a portion attached on the back side of the diaper waist, arelease layer 521, a hook fastener 523 and a finger lift portion 521A.

[0065] The embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is similar to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 11 except that tape tabs attached to the back waistregion project laterally beyond the edges of the respective wings. Thediaper in FIG. 12 generally designated by 500 comprises a back waistregion 501 having opposed lateral wings, a front waist region 503 havingsimilar opposed lateral wings, a front waist region 503 having similaropposed lateral wings, relative to the longitudinal axis Y-Y of thediaper. The front waist region 503 comprises a pair of strips 505, 507of loop material disposed near or at the lateral edges of the respectivewings. The back waist region 501 has three tape tabs 509, 511, 513attached thereto near the lateral edge of one of said wings, and thetape tabs 515, 517, 519 attached near or at the lateral edge of theother wing. Each of the tape tabs 509, 511, 513, 515, 517, 519 has aportion 509A, 511A, 513A, 515A, 517A and 519A, respectively, partlyprojecting beyond the lateral edge of each wing. These tapes are engagedwith the respective loops on the back surface of the front waist region.

[0066] The manner of fastening the front and back waist regions toassemble the diaper is similar to the embodiments shown in FIG. 11. Asshown in FIG. 12, if desired, side seals are provided at the respectivelateral edges of each wing of the front and back waist regions. When onewishes to inspect or change the diaper, the tapes are disengaged fromthe loops, the side seal is torn and the diaper is inspected or changed.

[0067] Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 13.The diaper shown in this figure is similar to FIG. 12 comprising a backwaist region 601 having opposed lateral wings, and a front waist region603 having similar opposed lateral wings, relative to the longitudinalaxis Z-Z of the diaper. The front waist region 603 comprises a pair ofstrips 605, 607 disposed adjacent their respective lateral edges andspaced apart therefrom. The back waist region 601 has three tape tabs609, 611, 613 attached thereto near the lateral edge of one of saidwings, and tape tabs 615, 617, 619 attached near or at the lateral edgeof the other wing. The tape tabs in this embodiment are similar to thetape tabs in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 having laterally projectingportions 609A, 611A, 613A, 615A, 617A and 619A. The difference betweenthese two embodiments is that in the diaper shown in FIG. 13, the loopstrips 605, 607 are spaced inward relative to the edges of therespective lateral wings and the front waist region 603 comprises aweakened line such as a perforated line 619 and 621 disposed adjacenteach of the loop strips 605, 617. Thus, when the diaper is fastened, thediaper may be inspected by tearing along the perforated lines to inspectthe inside of the diaper for presence of urine or fecal material. Also,as shown in FIG. 13, the wings of the front and back waist regions haveside seals for sealing the edges of the diaper.

[0068] The provision of perforated line in FIG. 13 permits tearing thediaper along this perforated line in order to inspect the diaper andengage the tapes with hooks to the loop surface. If the diaper hasperforated lines as aforesaid, the provision of side seals is optional.Whether or not the diaper is provided with side seals, the tapes with ahook surface may be engaged onto the loop strips to form theready-to-wear diaper, and this may be performed even during themanufacture of the diaper.

[0069] It is apparent from the foregoing detailed description and theseveral embodiments shown in the drawings that some modifications may bemade in the construction of the diaper which are suggested thereby andhence are within the scope and contemplation of this invention.

1. An integral pull-up type absorbent article comprising: (a) a coversheet; (b) a back sheet; (c) an absorbent layer disposed intermediatesaid cover sheet and said backsheet; (d) a pair of spaced apart legopenings; (e) a waist region comprising a front waist region and a backwaist region, each of said regions having a laterally extending portionterminating in a generally vertical side edge; (f) a first strip of loopmaterial adjacent one of said side edges and a second strip of loopmaterial adjacent the other one of said lateral edges on said frontwaist region; and (g) a first strip of hook fastener disposed adjacentone of said side edges and a second strip of hook fastener disposedadjacent the other one of said side edges, on said back waist region,wherein, when said front waist region and said back waist regions areoverlapped said first strip of hook fastener engages said first strip ofloop material and said second strip of hook fastener engages said secondstrip of loop material.
 2. An integral pull-up type absorbent article asin claim 1 wherein each of said side edges comprises a side seal.
 3. Anintegral pull-up type absorbent article as in claim 2 wherein each ofsaid side seals is adhesively secured to its respective side edge.
 4. Anintegral pull-up type absorbent article as in claim 1 wherein said waistregion is elasticated.
 5. An integral pull-up type absorbent article asin claim 2 wherein said waist region is elasticated.
 6. An integralpull-up type absorbent article as in claim 3 wherein said waist regionis elasticated.
 7. An integral pull-up type absorbent articlecomprising: (a) a cover sheet; (b) a back sheet; (c) an absorbent layerdisposed intermediate said cover sheet and said backsheet; (d) a pair ofspaced apart leg openings; (e) a waist region comprising a front waistregion and a back waist region, each of said regions having a laterallyextending portion terminating in a generally vertical side edge; (f) afirst hook strip disposed inwardly of one of said side edges, a firststrip of loop material disposed inwardly relative to said other sideedge, in one waist region, (g) a second hook strip adjacent said firsthook strip and separated therefrom by a first tear line and a third hookstrip adjacent said first strip of loop material and separated therefromby a second tear line, in said waist region; (h) a third strip of loopmaterial disposed inwardly relative to one of said side edges in saidback waist region, and a fourth strip of loop material disposed inwardlyrelative to said other side edge in the other waist region, wherein,when said first and second tear lines are broken and said front and backwaist regions are overlapped, each of said hook strips engages acorresponding aligned loop strip to fasten the diaper.
 8. An integralpull-up type absorbent article as in claim 7 wherein each of said edgescomprises a side seal.
 9. An integral pull-up type absorbent article asin claim 8 wherein each of said side seals is adhesively secured to itsrespective side edge.
 10. An integral pull-up type absorbent article asin claim 7 wherein said waist region is elasticated.
 11. An integralpull-up type absorbent article as in claim 8 wherein said waist regionis elasticated.
 12. An integral pull-up type absorbent article as inclaim 9 wherein said waist region is elasticated.
 13. An integralpull-up type absorbent article as in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11 or 12 further including an elasticated belly region.
 14. Anintegral pull-up type absorbent article comprising: (a) a cover sheet;(b) a back sheet; (c) an absorbent layer disposed intermediate saidcover sheet and said backsheet; (d) a pair of spaced apart leg openings;(e) a waist region comprising a front waist region and a back waistregion, each of said regions having a laterally extending portionterminating in a generally vertical side edge; (f) a first strip of loopmaterial adjacent one of said lateral edges and a second strip of loopmaterial adjacent the other one of said lateral edges on said frontwaist region; and (g) at least one tape tab attached on the insidesurface of said back waist region at each lateral edge of said region,each of said tape tabs having a hook surface, wherein, when said frontwaist region and said back waist regions are overlapped, the hooksurface of said tape tab engages a corresponding aligned strip of saidloop material on said front waist region.
 15. An integral pull-up typeabsorbent article as in claim 21 wherein three spaced apart tabs areattached on the outer surface of said back waist region at the lateraledge of said waist region, each of said tape tabs having a hook surface,wherein when said front waist region and said back waist region areoverlapped, all said three tape tabs engage a corresponding alignedstrip of said loop material on said front waist region.
 16. An integralpull-up type absorbent article as in claim 14 wherein each of said sideedges comprises a side seal.
 17. An integral pull-up type absorbentarticle as in claim 15 wherein each of said side edges comprises a sideseal.
 18. An integral pull-up type absorbent article as in claim 14wherein said waist region is elasticated.
 19. An integral pull-up typeabsorbent article as in claim 15 wherein said waist region iselasticated.
 20. An integral pull-up type absorbent article as in claim16 wherein said waist region is elasticated.
 21. An integral pull-uptype absorbent article as in claim 17 wherein said waist region iselasticated.
 22. An integral pull-up type diaper as in claim 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, 20 or 21 further including elasticated belly portion.
 23. Anintegral pull-up type absorbent article as in claim 14 wherein each ofsaid tabs has a laterally projecting end inwardly relative to itsrespective side edge.
 24. An integral pull-up type absorbent article asin claim 15 wherein each of said tabs has a laterally projecting endinwardly relative to its respective side edge.
 25. An integral pull-uptype absorbent article as in claim 16 wherein each of said tabs has alaterally projecting end inwardly relative to its respective side edge.26. An integral pull-up type absorbent article as in claim 17 whereineach of said tabs has a laterally projecting end inwardly relative toits respective side edge.
 27. An integral pull-up type absorbent articleas in claim 18 wherein each of said tabs has a laterally projecting endinwardly relative to its respective side edge.
 28. An integral pull-uptype absorbent article as in claim 19 wherein each of said tabs has alaterally projecting end inwardly relative to its respective side edge.29. An integral pull-up type absorbent article as in claim 20 whereineach of said tabs has a laterally projecting end inwardly relative toits respective side edge.
 30. An integral pull-up type absorbent articleas in claim 21 wherein each of said tabs has a laterally projecting endinwardly relative to its respective side edge.
 31. An integral pull-uptype absorbent article as in claim 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30further including elasticated belly portion.
 32. An integral pull-uptype absorbent article comprising: (a) a cover sheet; (b) a back sheet;(c) an absorbent layer disposed intermediate said cover sheet and saidbacksheet; (d) a pair of spaced apart leg openings; (e) a waist regioncomprising a front waist region and a back waist region, each of saidregions having a laterally extending portion terminating in a generallyvertical side edge; (f) a first strip of loop material spaced apartrelative to one of said side edges and a second strip of loop materialspaced apart relative to the other end of said side edges, and (g) atleast one tape tab attached to each side edge of said back waist region,each tape tab having a portion extending outwardly relative to itsrespective side edges and having a hook surface, wherein when said firstwaist portion and said back waist region overlap, the hook surface ofeach tape tab engages corresponding aligned strip of loop material. 33.An integral pull-up type absorbent article as in claim 32 wherein eachof said side edges in the front waist region comprises a side seal. 34.An integral pull-up type absorbent article as in claim 32 wherein saidfront waist region comprises a tear line adjacent each of said strips ofloop material.
 35. An integral pull-up type absorbent article as inclaim 33 wherein said front waist region comprises a tear line betweensaid strip of loop material and said side seal.
 36. An integral pull-uptype absorbent article as in claim 32 wherein said waist region iselasticated.
 37. An integral pull-up type absorbent article as in claim33 wherein said waist region is elasticated.
 38. An integral pull-uptype absorbent article as in claim 34 wherein said waist region iselasticated.
 39. An integral pull-up type absorbent article as in claim35 wherein said waist region is elasticated.
 40. An integral pull uptype absorbent article as in claim 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 or 39wherein said article includes a tear line adjacent each strip of loopmaterial.
 41. A ready-to-wear pull-up type absorbent article comprising:(a) a cover sheet; (b) a back sheet; (c) an absorbent layer disposedintermediate said cover sheet and said back sheet; (d) a pair of spacedapart leg openings; (e) a waist region comprising a front waist regionand a back waist region; (f) said front waist region comprising a pairof spaced apart loop strips, and said back waist region comprising acorrespondingly aligned tape tabs each having a hook surface, whereinsaid back waist region is overlapped on said front waist region and eachof said hook surfaces of said tape tabs is engaged onto acorrespondingly aligned loop strip.
 42. A ready-to-wear pull-up typeabsorbent article comprising: (a) a coversheet; (b) a back sheet; (c) anabsorbent layer disposed intermediate said cover sheet and said backsheet; (d) a pair of spaced apart leg openings; (e) a waist regioncomprising a front waist region and a back waist region, said frontwaist region having an outer surface of loop material; (f) a pair ofspaced apart tape tabs having a hook surface, wherein said back waistregion is overlapped on said front waist region and each of said hooksurfaces of said tape tabs is engaged on portion of said loop surface.43. A ready-to-wear pull-up type absorbent article as in claim 41wherein said front waist region and said back waist region each has alaterally extending portion terminating a generally vertical side edgeand each of said side edges comprises a side seal.
 44. A ready-to-wearpull-up type absorbent article as in claim 41 wherein said waist regionis elasticated.
 45. A ready-to-wear pull-up type absorbent article as inclaim 43 wherein said waist region is elasticated.
 46. A ready-to-wearpull-up type absorbent article as in claim 41, 43, 44 or 45 wherein saidarticle comprises elasticated belly portion.
 47. A ready-to-wear pull-uptype absorbent article as in claim 42 wherein said front waist regionand said back waist region each has a laterally extending portionterminating in a generally vertical side edge and each of said sideedges comprises a side seal.
 48. A ready-to-wear pull-up type absorbentarticle as in claim 42 wherein said waist region is elasticated.
 49. Aread-to-wear pull-up type absorbent article as in claim 42 wherein saidwaist region is elasticated.
 50. A ready-to-wear pull-up type absorbentarticle as in claim 42, 47, 48 or 49 wherein said article compriseselasticated belly portion.